More Top Stories
$541.7m tourism earnings
25 January 2025
‘Paedophile’ gets 13 years in prison
22 January 2025
Thomas Wynne: Where were our leaders while children suffered?
25 January 2025
Cook Islands passport proposal
6 January 2025
Top cop position advertised
7 December 2024
Police need numbers and bigger budget
9 December 2024
Niki Rattle: A call for stronger human rights protections
10 December 2024
Solid and Hazardous Waste Bill referred to Parliament committee
10 December 2024
DPM defends CIIC finance and travel policies
6 December 2024
Cook Islands has its first mosque
14 November 2024
CI Muslim opens up about her faith and journey
16 November 2024
RAC to address mosque legality
19 November 2024
I don’t expect much change: PM Brown on US Elections
6 November 2024
Fifth weekly Sydney flight to Rarotonga announced
23 October 2024
CIIC directors seek $350,000 in damages over defamatory claims
21 October 2024
Man found guilty of rape, burglary
24 September 2024
Tenants face water bill burden
8 October 2024
Concerns over Minister’s role in inmate work releases: PAC
5 October 2024
Tourism contribution set to surpass half-billion dollar mark
25 September 2024
Parliament Clerk sparks outrage over deep sea mining statement
23 September 2024
Deep sea dilemma: Cook Islanders weigh the cost of mineral riches
21 September 2024
Anxiety on the rise: Cook Islands faces mental health challenge
7 September 2024
Cook Islands deep sea mining poll sparks controversy
7 September 2024
MCI rejects ‘dark fleet’ label
3 August 2024
Rising seas, rising costs: Climate impacts on Cook Islands economy
2 September 2024
Inflation eases but concerns remain
31 August 2024
Prime Minister defends $659,000 MPs travel bill
23 August 2024
Taxpayers foot $659,000 bill for MPs travel and allowance
22 August 2024
Corruption report exposes ‘bribe and sexual favours’
17 January 2023
PM Brown eager to hand over Forum chair role to Tonga
13 August 2024
Challenging ‘rape culture’
8 July 2024
National
PM: Hit-and-run investigation being conducted ‘thoroughly’
The investigation into the tragic hit-and-run that claimed the life of an elderly woman is being conducted “professionally and thoroughly”, Prime Minister Mark Brown told Cook Islands News last night.
Dream come true: Aspiring teachers join new training programme
A 15-member cohort of aspiring teachers was welcomed yesterday by the Ministry of Education officials, coinciding with the official opening of the Cook Islands Teacher Development Training Centre.
CIIC defends in-house projects after ‘high’ private sector bids
Cook Islands government is prioritising keeping project costs affordable and will use the public sector model or engage private sectors selectively to deliver projects within budget.
Cook Islands laws now consolidated and freely accessible online
The Parliament of the Cook Islands, the Crown Law Office and Aotearoa New Zealand’s LexisNexis have collaborated to make the laws of the Cook Islands consolidated, accessible and clear.
PM pledges return of community policing to tackle ‘rising crime’
Prime Minister Mark Brown, who is also the Minister for Police, says he will ensure the re-establishment of community police to tackle the rising crime rate in Rarotonga.
Police news
June 24
Tereora College’s Anau Ikurangi wins secondary schools Tangi Ka’ara competition
The powerful rhythms of the tangi ka’ara traditional drums reverberated through Te Are Karioi as college students across Rarotonga showcased their mastery of drumming techniques, thrilling the audience on Friday night.
Public Accounts Committee to elect chair and deputy ‘following Standing Orders’
Public Accounts Committee’s newly appointed chair Teokatai Herman confirmed that the committee will be convening soon to elect both the chair and deputy chair, following the proper process outlined in the Standing Orders.
PM Brown: ‘Police portfolio is under my responsibility and I take that very seriously’
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown will retain control of the Police portfolio despite a request from another Minister and will focus on improving police standards and staffing.
CINAT team having a blast in Hawaii, dismisses stranded rumours
Cultural expert and one of the team leaders of the Cook Islands National Arts Theatre (CINAT) performing arts team, Mark Short says the team is fine and enjoying their time in Hawaii.
PM: Free water for households
Government will not charge households for ‘reasonable’ water usage, assures Prime Minister Mark Brown.
Parliament cuts debate time to pass $328 million Budget
Parliament yesterday expedited the process to pass the $328 million 2024/25 Budget after only five half-days of debate on the appropriations.
Evans earns Masters and Honorary Doctorate
Renowned Cook Islands marine conservationist Jacqueline Evans had a double celebration recently – graduating from her year-long studies at Harvard University and receiving an Honorary Doctorate from the Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale (ULCO) in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France.
Te Ipukarea Society: TIS captivates students at Careers Expo with interactive activities
The 2024 Careers Expo took place last Thursday at the National Auditorium, featuring over 30 exhibitors. Government agencies, education institutions, private sector companies and non-government organisations, including Te Ipukarea Society (TIS), showcased what careers may look like in their respective fields.
Man with ‘urge to steal’ receives suspended sentence for pig theft
A 35-year-old man has been convicted and given a 12-month suspended sentence for stealing a male and female pig this year.
Minister Angene makes ‘humble request’ for Police portfolio to address youth crime
Minister for Corrective Services George “Maggie” Angene has asked Prime Minister Mark Brown to consider giving him the Minister for Police portfolio.
Tereora, Titikaveka vie for Tangi Ka’ara title
A group of enthusiastic Api’i Tuarua secondary school students will perform in tonight’s highly anticipated CITC Pump the Beats Emo’anga Tangi Ka’ara Drumming Competition at the National Auditorium.
Pay rise for teachers, Concerns remain about quality and qualifications
Parliamentarians discussed the Education Ministry’s budget increase, with some welcoming the teacher salary rise but highlighting the need for improved quality and qualified teachers, especially in the outer islands.
Airport upgrades key to unleashing economic potential of Pa Enua: PM
Prime Minister Mark Brown emphasises that the Manihiki Airport upgrade is not a political promise or a vote buying attempt but a project designed to improve the lives of people in the Pa Enua (outer islands).
Parliament News
Minister for Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI) and Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC) Albert Nicholas says they are surveying the Rutaki foreshore area.
Fishermen rescue yacht from Penrhyn lagoon
A French yacht visiting Penrhyn this week escaped serious damage after grounding on a sea coral mount inside the island lagoon.
Vaka Marumaru Atua makes homecoming journey with two women aboard
As the Cook Islands voyaging canoe Vaka Marumaru Atua cuts through the blue waters of the Pacific making her journey back home to Rarotonga, alongside the male crew members are two women.
